Coiling apparatus.



W B, HEWITT.

OOILING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED 001'. 29, 1910.

Patented July 14, 1914.

2 SHEETS" SHEET 1,

Vvl B. HEWITT.

COMING APPARATUS.

APPLlGATION FILM) 001. 29, 1910.

Patentd July 14,1sm.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WALLACE B. HEWITT, F UPPER TROY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNGR T0 HENRY G. SANFORD, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

COILING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 14, 191st.

Application filed October 29, 1910. Serial N0. 589,745.

To all whom it may concern 3e it known that I, VALLACE l3. Hnwrrr,

. of Upper Troy, New York, have invented certain Improvements in Coiling Apparatus, of which the following description, in

connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings designating like parts.

This invention relates to coiling and is of special utility when embodied'in appara tus for the treatment of metal strips of substantial breadth and thickness in, the manufacture of the spirally Woundsheaths used to armor such articles as insulated electrical conductors and hosepipe, but I contemplateon one or more ribs to serve in interlocking the convolutions of the strip, the other head having means to coil the grooved strip helically, with improved means to permit these heads to move angularly, one relatively to the other, in order to permit variation in the angle at which the strip is delivered from the grooving-head to the coiling-head. One of the heads, preferably the coiling-head, will also be provided with means to permit its movement axially to aid in securing the proper delivery of the strip to the coiling head.

Another important object of my invention is to provide means for gaining access quickly to the coiling-rolls,- to permit their inspection and replacement, and as part of such means I. contemplate the provision of means to permit the rapid disconnection of the devices for operating the rolls.

Among other important objects of this invention is to provide a device for starting the helical deformation of the strip at the initial convolution, special provision being made for the rapid and accurate adjustment of this device. without disturbim the other parts of the coilin'g h-ead. in order to compensate for the wear, which is very great, as the strip is frequently fed through such a coiling-head at a speed of more than forty feet a minute.

Still other features of my invention comprise a more compact organization of the operating instrumentalities in the coilingheadthan has been prov ded heretofore,

'ducing spirally wound sheaths of different pitch, diameter and other characteristics.

The various features of my invention will be illustrated and described fully in the. accompanying drawings and specifications and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates in front elevation a machine in the construction of which my invention has been em bodied; parts being broken away to reveal other parts of the structure more clearly; Fig. 2 is a plan view of said machine; Fig. 3 is a View in transverse section of one suitable form of strip for use in the formation of the spirally wound conduit; and Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail view in perspective of the templet used in starting the helical convolution.

In the embodiment of my invention selected for illustration and description to enable ready and complete understanding of my improvements, the part designated by the reference numeral 1 is a grooving-head, and the part designated by the reference numeral 2 is a coiling-head, these heads cooperating in the treatment of a metallic strip 3 to form the same into a spirally wound sheath 4-, and both the grooving and coiling-heads may be of any suitable construction and arranged to coiiperate in any manner suitable to carry out my invention.

In accordance with my invention I provide for variation int-he angular relation of the heads 1 and 2, and may do this in any suitable way; and as one convenient mode of accomplishing this variation, 1 have provided a turntable 5 movable about a pivot 6 which will preferably be located as near as convenient to the point of delivery of the strip 3 from the grooving-head to the coiling-head 2.

Any suitable form of support may be provided for the table 5 and. the ceiling head 2, and in the instance illustrated I have shown a frame or sub-base 7 with suitable base blocks 108 to which the coilinghead may be secured by suitable fastening means such as the bolts 118 passing through slots 8 in the base 9 of the coilinghead andwhich may serve to permit adjustment of the co ling-head axially, in accordance with one feature of my invention, to permit more ac-' curate adjustment of the angular relation between the coiling-head and the groovinghead.

i The pivot 6 of the turntable is shown as mounted in a vertical support 16 carried by the frame, and I have shown in Fig. 2 at 11 screws mounted in lugs 12 extending up ward from a sub-table 13 on which the turntable 5 rests, these screws 11 being presented in position to be engaged with each side of a lug 14 extending from, and which may conveniently be formed integrally with, the

turntable 5.- I may provide also suitable means for clamping the turntable in ad-g justed position, such as the bolts 15, passing through slots 16 formed in the turntable,

and entering suitable threaded holes 17 in the sub-table 13, (see Fig. 2). 1

As one convenient form of grooving-head 1, I have shown three pairs of rolls 18, 19 and respectively, through which the strip 3 passes in succession, the rolls 18 serving to indent the strip slightly and the rolls 19 and 20 to groove it more deeply to the desired shape,- whichmay conveniently be that illustrated in cross section in Fig.

3, having a relatively flat curved part 21, a

trough of somewhat square section 22 and marginal interlocking rib 23; this form of strip being well-known to those skilled in' the art. 1

When the apparatus is to be used to coil a sheath of larger diameter than that illustrated inthe drawing,.the strip will be fed more nearly at right angles from the grooving-head to the coiling-head, and to accomplish this change of angle between the line of feed of the strip 3 and the longitudinal axis of the coiling-machine, the turntable will be swung around from right to left, the bolts 15 being first loosened and the screws 11 thereafter adjusted-to set the table with its grooving-head at the desired angle, after which the bolts 15 may be driven home, and if desired jam-nuts 25 may be provided upon the bolts 11.

In accordance with an important feature of my invention, I have provided improved means to actuate the grooving rolls without regard to the angular position of the turntable, and for this purpose I have shown the rolls as provided with a series of gears 30, tw of which are in mesh with a gear 31 upon a countershaft 32 journaled in bearings 33 carried by the turntable 5, this countershaft having a gear 34 in mesh with a gear 35 On a countershaft 36 supported below the turntable 5 in bearings 37, depend ing therefrom through an opening 130 in the sub-table 13, and said counter-shaft 36 extending toward the axis of the pivot 6 and having a bevel' gear 38 engaged with a cooperatin bevel gear '39 arranged cov axially Wit the pivot 6 and supported suitmounted in bearings 17 9 on the frame ably for rotation, as by a vertical shaft 40 journaled in the bearings 10 above, and the bearings 110 below, these hearings being suitably fastened to the frame 7, as by bolts 107. The gear '39 preferably has on its under-surface another bevel gear 41, to

drive which I have showna main driving shaft 42 geared at 43 to the bevel gear 41, which may have suitable means, such as the fast and loose pulleys 45 and 46 (see Fig. 2) to permit it to be driven from a suitable source of power, not shown.

The reference numeral 142 designates bearingsin which the main driving shaft 42 may conveniently be supported; I

As one convenient form of coiling-head embodying my improvements in such devices, I have shown a set of corrugated winding or shaping-rolls, of which there may be any convenient number, grouped in any fashion suitable ,to cooperate in thehelical deformation of the strip 3 to produce the spirally wound sheath 4 of desired diam eter, pitch and other characteristics, and in the instance illustrated I have shown four of these rolls, 61, 62, 63 "and 64, the roll 64 'being omitted in Fig. 2 to show clearly the "strip 3'which is fed to. the rolls in the order named; the grooves upon these rolls being staggered so that the-rolls cooperate to form the helical convolutions. v

The rolls 61, 62, 63 and 64 may be actuated in any suitable manner, and as one convenient form of device for their actuation I have provided each of the rolls with a gear like that shown at 65 in Fig. 2 upon the roll 63, the gears 65 being respectively engaged with theinside circular teeth .66 of an annular inside-and-outside gear 67, the latter having its outer teeth 68 engaged with a spur gear 69 (see Fig. 1) upon a driving shaft 70 which has at its other end a gear 71 in engagement with a gear 72 carried by a stud 73 mounted on a shipper-handle 74 by which the gear 72 can be thrown into and out of mesh with the gear 71, being continuously in mesh with a pinion 75 upon a shaft 7 6 which derives its actuation, through a pinion 77, from a gear 78 upon a shaft 79 7, and which carries a gear 80 in mesh with gear 44 upon the main driving shaft 42. Bearingbrackets 176 beltedto the frame at 177 are. shown to support the shaft '76 which mav conveniently serve as the fulcrum for the shipper handle 74 as illustrated. The reference numerallSO designates a stop-for the shipper handle.

The driving shaft 70 for the coiling-head is shown as mounted in a pillow-block 81 on the frame, the base of the coiling head having a bearing 82 for this driving shaft.

The ring-gear 67 is shown as carried by a hollow shaft 83 'journaled rotatably in a standard-84 extending from thebase 9 of g the coiling-machine, and this hollow shaft is movable longitudinally in said bearing block, carrying with it the ring gear 67, which is secured'by bolts to a suitable flange 80 upon the hollow shaft, so that whenthe hollow shaft is moved outwardly the ring-gear is withdrawn from the roll gears (35 and the rolls may be inspected freely.

To facilitate still further the inspection of the rolls, "I have shown the upper rolls 63 and 64 as mounted in upper separable bearing blocks 87 secured by bolts 88 to the lower part. of the head 89 which carries the other two rolls 61 and 62, so that when the upper blocks 87 are removed with the rolls 63, 64, the operating central portion of the machine is entirely opento inspection, and the severalrolls are in convenient shape for such attention as they may require. 1

As one convenient form of means to shift the hollow shaft 83 axially for engagement and disengagement of the ring gear 67 with the roll gears 65, I have shown a collar 90 upon the hollow shaft outside its bearing standard 84, this collar having a groove 91 in which are located shifting blocks 92 mounted pivotally upon pins 93 projecting from a shifting yoke 94 forming part of a shifting lever 95 connected pivotally, as at 96, to the base of the coiling head, this shifting lever preferably having a latch 97 mounted pivotally upon the lever at 98 and Provided with a d'etent99 adapted to enter either of the notches 100 provided in the bearing standard and serving to retain the shifting lever and hollow shaft in fixed position, operative or inoperative.

I prefer to provide my improved coilinghead with a templet 0r guide'with which to initiate the helical deformation of the strip 3, and this guide may be of any suitable form. As one convenient form, I have shown in Figs. 2 and 4 a tubular member 101 arranged centrally with respect to the group of ceiling rolls and having a hearing in the standards 89, the forward end .102 of this guide projecting slightly beyond the rear standard 89 to a point approximately opposite the first groove of the coiling roll 01, the inclined forward face 103 of the guide being in suitable position to deform the strip 3 laterally and deliver it to the first groove of the roll (11, whence it passes progressively around within the rolls, first to the initial groove of the roll 02, then to the initial groove of the roll 63, and finally to the initial groove of the roll 64, which completes the initial convolution, and thereafter, as this convolution turns forward under the action of the rolls, succeeding convo-lutions formed in the initial space within the initial grooves just mentioned are formed each upon the preceding convolution successively, the groove 22 and rib 23 acting progressively as a templet. (See Fig. The templetlOl may have a feather 201 to prevent its rotation.

I may introduce -a temporary mandrel or plug, 104 (see Fig. .4) into the central bore 105 of the guide 101', leaving this plug in place until a few convolutions'have been with ease and rapidity, and by which its accurate adjustment may be effected, and anv purpose, one convenient form of such means being shown at 106 (see Fig. 2) which designates a screw entering the material of the head 89 alongside of the guide 101 and in engagement therewith, rotation of this screw serving to advance the guide'as re quired.

In the operation of my improved coiling apparatus, the strip 3 is first fed from a suitable source of supply, not shown, to the grooving head 1, passing between the rolls 18, 19 and 20, where it receives the curved cross section illustrated in Fig. 3, and the turntable 5 having first been fixed in proper angular relation with respect to the axis of the coiling head 2, the strip is led straight from the growing-head to the coiling-head, passing in over the roll 61 and being coiled circumferentially within the rolls 61, e2, 63 and 64 at the initial grooves, which shape the strip into an initial convolution; the partly completed sheath is turned forward by the rotation of the rolls 6164, progress ing axially and acquiring a permanent set in the desired shape, and is discharged at the end of the hollow shaft 83, in the form of a sheath of the desired diameter. Concurrently with the formation of this sheath it may be applied to any suitable article for the purpose of armoring the same, my improved apparatus being especially useful in applying such a sheath to an article such a hosepipe or an insulated electrical conductor, and in Figs. 1 and 2, I- have shown the sheath 4 being applied to an insulated electrical conductor 204 comprising a plurality of wires 304. When it is desired to make a sheath of larger or smaller diameter, the coiling-head 2 may be removed readily by taking out the bolts 118 and the proper size of coiling-head may be substituted, and

after the turntable 5 has been swung around to cause the grooving-head 1 to deliver the strip 3 at the proper angle. the new coilinghead may be adjusted axially to the proper position.

By reason of the novel arrangement of the driving shaft 42 and countershaft 32 suitable means may be provided for this read in connection with this specification.

and 36 in superposed qrelation, 'with the countershaft 36 extending; toward the a'xls' of adjustment of the turntableb, and by arranging-the vertical driving'shaft 40 coaxially with said pivotal axis of the turntable, it is unnecessary to ch'ange the driving gears on their axes or to shift any parts of the mechanisms relatively to each other, all.

the change necessary being effected by bodily swinging movement of the turntable with the grooving-head 1, and by bodily movement of the coilinghead 2, axially.

If a strip of different cross section from that shown in Fig. 3 isto be grooved, the rolls 18, 1'9 and 20 may be removed readily from the grooving-head-l by simply unscrewing the nuts 151, anddifferent rollshaving peripheries ofsuitable' contour may be put in their place.

The reference numeral 150 designates a skeleton top or strengthening member with which the grooving head 1 may be provided.

Having illustrated and described my invention thus fully, and suitable means by which the same may be put intopractice, I wish it to be understood that I do notlimit myself to the specific construction and materials shown and described by way of example, nor do 1 limit myself in general otherwise than as set forth in the claims What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States of America is .1..Coiling apparatus; comprising a coiling-head having coiling-rolls; a grooving treatment shall be delivered from said head; means to vary the angular position of" said grooving-head relatively to said coiling-head, means to vary the position of said coiling-head along the axis of the'coil; said angular and coaxial adjustments serving to determine the angle at which a strip under grooving-head to said coiling-head; and means to. actuate said coiling-rolls in the various positions of said coiling head.

'2; Coiling apparatus; comprising a support to receive a groovinghead and a coil- -ing head; a turntable movable upon said support about an upright axis to receive one ofjsaid heads and permit movement thereof bodily to vary the angular relation between said heads; an upright, ;,independe ntly rotatable, shaft, co-axial with said turntable; a driving-shaft geared to said upright shaft;

and mechanism carried by, and movablewith, said turntable, to permit actuation, by said upright shaft, of the head movable bodily with said turntable, regardless of the angular relation of said heads.

3- Coiling apparatus; comprising a sup"- port to receive a groovlng head and a coiling head provided with 'rolls; a turntable movable upon said support about an upright axis intermediate said heads and situarcane:

and permit movement thereof bodily to vary the angular relation between said heads; an upright, independently rotatable, shaft, co-' axial with said turntable, andprovided with.

a bevel gear; a countershaft supported radially in bearings carried by, and beneath,

said turntable, saidcounter-shaft having a bevel gear meshing with said bevel gear on said upright shaft'in the different positions of said turntable, and having apinion; and a secondary counter-shaft supported in bearings carried by said, turntable, 'above said lower counter-shaft, and provided with gears to be engaged respectively with said pinion and with said head movable with said turntable;

4. Coiling apparatus; comprising a strip- ,grooving head; a coiling-head; a turntable supported pivotally to turn about avertical axis adjacent to said coiling-head, to vary the angle at which said strip is delivered to saidcoiling-head; said grooving-head comrisin a series of rolls and actuatin ears on said rolls; an operating gear mounted to turn about the axis of said pivot; means to actuate said operating gears; and means to connect said operating gear actuatively with said grooving-roll gears.

5. Coiling apparatus; comprising a stripgrcoving head movable bodily about a predetermined axis for adjustment of the angle at which said strip is treated, and having rolls constructed and arranged to deliver said strip toward said axis, said rolls being provided with gears; an operating member at'ed substantially in 'the'line of delivery therebetween, to receive one of said'heads rotatable upon said axis; and means to connect said member actuatively with said rolls. 6.. Coiling apparatus; comprising a coiling-head; a strlp-grooving head having v 'the axis of said coil; substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth. 8. Ceiling apparatus; comprising a supportlng base having base-blocks to receive a coiling-head in axially adjustable position,

and having also a sub-table with a central aperture; a turntable connected by a pivot with said sub-table above said apertured portion, and means to secure said turntable in adjusted position, said turntable being adapted to receive a grooving-head, and having mechanism depending within said base, through said aperture, to actuate said grooving-head.

9. A coiling-head; comprising a set of rolls to coil a strip helically, said rolls being provided with gears; an inside and outside annular gear in engagement internally with said roll gears; and means to effect connection and disconnection of said annular gear and roll-gears.

10. A coiling-head; comprising a set of rolls to coil a strip helically; a ring gear to actuate said rolls; and a hollow shaft upon which said ring gear is mounted; means to permit rotation of said gear about the axis of said shaft; and means to move said shaft and gear 00- axially out of actuative engagement with said rolls.

11. A coiling-head; comprising a 'base;

bearing-standards thereon; coiling-rolls mounted in said standards and provided with gears respectively; a templet adjustable axially in one of the bearing-standards distant from said gears; and a shaft mounted in a bearing standard other than said 'roll-bearing-standards, said shaft being hollow to pass the coiled product of said rolls, and provided with a gear to be engaged actuatively with said roll 'gears; means to permit rotation of said shaft, and-means to disconnect said shaft and roll gears.

12. In a coiling-head; a bearing standard comprising a lower portion having rollbearings and a separable upper portion having roll-bearings; said portions being constructed and arranged along their region of union to provide bearings for an axially adjustable templet; and means .to permit manual adjustment of said templet while said instrumentalities are in operative position; substantially as described.

13. A templet device for coiling machines of the class described; said templet device comprising a member having a strip-directing face; a screw by which said templet may be advanced along the axis of the coil; and means toipermit manual actuation of said templet by said screw while said instrumentalities are in operation; substantially as described.

Signed at Troy, in the county of Rensselaer, and State of New York, this 12th day of October, 1910.

WALLAGE B. HEWITT.

Witnesses:

JOHN H. ASH, STEPHEN CoMEsKEY. 

